Authorities in the USA state of MI filed criminal charges Friday against six current and former state officials over lead water contamination in the city of Flint, signaling that their probe is expanding.
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He said that Miller repeatedly told staff to take no action regarding the research and “effectively concealed” the findings. According to The Detroit News, it is still considered unsafe to drink Flint water. And their story was there’s nothing wrong with Flint water, and it was perfectly safe to use.
Three other officials ignored reports that the city’s water treatment plant was not in compliance with environmental regulations.
Shekter Smith was charged with misconduct in office and willful neglect of duty.
Asked what the motive was, Schuette said “part arrogance”.
Two other state employees and a Flint city employee were charged with similar offenses in May. If found guilty, the misconduct and conspiracy charges are felonies carrying a maximum sentence of five years in prison; willful neglect is a one-year misdemeanor.
“The last time we were in court Ms. Shekter-Smith indicated she was exerting her constitutional right not to incriminate herself”, Morley said, but he had also indicated she was prepared to answer questions under appropriate conditions.
MI officials say four public employees charged with crimes related to Flint’s lead-contaminated water crisis have been suspended without pay. He entered a plea to a misdemeanor and one count of willful neglect of duty, in exchange for a dismissal of evidence tampering, a felony charge.
The Associated Press left messages for Cook and Miller and could not find listed numbers for Rosenthal, Peeler and Scott. The two environmental department employees, Stephen Busch and Mike Prysby, are awaiting preliminary examinations.
The struggling city used the Flint River water for 18 months to save money. In July of 2015, Schuette alleges ― and previously released emails have suggested ― Peeler, Scott and Miller became aware of high lead levels in Flint kids’ blood, but convinced themselves seasonal variation accounted for the change.
Special Counsel Todd Flood and the Flint Water Investigative Team will also be attendance. The three state employees allegedly withheld or disregarded blood tests showing high lead levels. And in MI, the justice system is not rigged. She is among the charged employees. “DEQ and MDHHS will continue to monitor the legal proceedings and evaluate next steps as appropriate”.
Both were accused of lying about whether Flint’s water plan had proper corrosion controls, and faking test data about lead levels.
“The families of Flint will not be forgotten”, Schuette said at a press conference Friday.
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“However, there is still a lack of transparency and accountability surrounding the crisis in Flint”, the statement continued.
